Howard Broad

Infobox Officeholder
name = Howard Broad

---

order = 30th
office = Commissioner of Police (New Zealand)
term_start = 4 April 2006
term_end =
predecessor = Steve Long (acting)
successor =
birth_date = c.1957
religion = Presbyterian|

Howard Broad (born c.1957) is the thirtieth and current New Zealand Commissioner of Police, appointed in 2006 for a five-year contract.cite web|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/node/25357|title=New Police Commissioner and deputies appointed|date=4 April 2006|publisher=New Zealand Government|accessdate=2008-10-07] [cite web|url=http://www.police.govt.nz/news/tenone/20060428-284/feature_broadview.htm|title=A Broad view on crime and crash reduction|date=May 2006|publisher=New Zealand Police |accessdate=2008-10-08] He is a career police officer, working in uniform and as a detective for eighteen years, before moving into senior roles at the Police National Headquarters in Wellington. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10375992|title=New police commissioner named|date=4 April 2006|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-08] As commissioner, he successfully completed rewriting the policing law, the introduction of tasers, and survived a number of embarrassing incidents in the media. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10440498|title=Howard Broad in the hot seat|last=Hewitson|first=Michele |date=19 May 2007|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-08]

Broad has an LLB degree from the Victoria University of Wellington, and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor by the New Zealand Law Society. He joined the police as a cadet in 1975, and was a beat officer for two years before entering the CIB. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment/news/article.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10490264&pnum=2|title=Job: Must have broad shoulders |last=Campbell|first=Ashley |date=2 February 2008|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-07] He has certificates in Police Management from New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.cite web|url=http://www.policeact.govt.nz/securing-the-future/STF-Broad.pdf|title=Howard Broad|publisher=Police Act Review|accessdate=2008-10-08]

District Commander

Broad was District Commander of Auckland City Police District from 1998 to 2003. In June 1999 he surprised colleagues by revealing details of his contract, which included performance-based portion of -5 to +8 percent. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=9266|title=Police chief reveals pay deal|last=Wall|first=Tony |date=1 July 1999|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-08]

Auckland Mayor Christine Fletcher was sent a suspicious letter featuring a photo of a woman wielding a pistol and containing two lumps in October 2000. Broad personally took charge of the case, and checked with the mayor if she had received any other threatening communications. The letter turned out to be a false alarm, after being x-rayed police deemed it safe to open, and discovered a theatre invitation and lollies. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=156413|title=Dark reply to light letter |last=Wall|first=Tony|date=21 October 2000|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-08] In December that year the Minister of Police George Hawkins told 57 Auckland police including Broad to return their cellphones, as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Police Association president Greg O'Connor, and opposition police spokesman Brian Neeson, who suggested police would next be sharing teabags, derided the move. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=163368|title=Cost cuts rob our police of mobiles |last=Wall|first=Tony|date=6 December 2000|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-08]

For his work as the principal law enforcement member with Netsafe, the national multi-agency Internet safety programme, the Society for the Policing of Cyberspace (Canada) named him the 2002 inaugural winner of the International Law Enforcement Award.

He managed large security operations in Auckland, including the 11th APEC meeting (requiring protection of the President of the United States), [cite web|url=http://www.transtasmanbusiness.com.au/broad.htm|title=Howard Broad|date=September 2008|publisher=Trans-Tasman Business Circle|accessdate=2008-10-08] and "Operation Marlin II" for the 2003 America's Cup in Auckland. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=2447142|title=Security tight for yachting event |last=MacLeod|first=Scott|date=6 September 2002|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-08]

Broad received a six-month secondment to the Home Office Police Standards Unit in London from September 2003 to March 2004, [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3521197|title=Top copper on counter-terrorism beat |last=Gregory|first=Angela |date=3 September 2003|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-08] where he studied British policing procedures and technology, including a vehicle registration plate identification system. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3563794|title=NZ police look at ideas from the bill's beat |last=Bingham|first=Eugene |date=1 May 2004|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-09]

Commissioner

Minister of Police Annette King announced Broad's appointment as Commissioner of Police on 4 April 2006, succeeding acting commissioner Steve Long, and with the support of opposition politicians. [cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/694861|title=Police commissioner named|date=4 April 2006 |publisher=TVNZ|accessdate=2008-10-08] The government tasked him with rewriting the Police Act 1958, which was realised on 1 October 2008 with the Policing Act 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2008/0072/latest/DLM1564700.html?search=ts_act_policing|title=Policing Act 2008 No 72, Public Act - Commencement|publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office|accessdate=2008-10-02] He stated one of his goals as commissioner would be restoring public confidence in the police, [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10376135|title=Policeman on mission to restore confidence |last=Thomson|first=Ainsley |date=5 April 2006|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-08] and that youth gangs were an "area of opportunity" to prevent future crime. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10376477|title=New head cop sets sights on gangs and youth |last=Harding|first=Evan |date=7 April 2006|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-08]

Broad launched the Police Electronic Crime Laboratory in Wellington on 24 September 2007, with a cellphone text message.cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10465711|title=New sheriff for 'cyberspace wild west' |date=25 September 2007|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-07] [cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4214680a6479.html|title=Cracking down on cyber crime|last=Easton|first=Paul|date=26 September 2007|publisher=The Dominion Post |accessdate=2008-10-09|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5bQcF2o7m|archivedate=2008-10-09] He said "Crime is being increasingly committed in what is effectively the cyberspace wild west, a borderless environment where traditional policing methods are often no longer effective.", and stated the resource would let police better track criminals using the internet and electronic devices.

For New Year 2008, the busiest night of the year for police, he joined front-line officers on the beat in Christchurch, where there were 32 arrests. [cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1528028|title=Police boss joins frontline at new year|date=1 January 2008 |publisher=TVNZ|accessdate=2008-10-09]

Broad paid tribute to Sergeants Derek Wootton [cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Accusedinpolicemandeathnamed/tabid/423/articleID/63115/cat/372/Default.aspx|title=Accused in policeman death named|date=15 July 2008 |publisher=3 News|accessdate=2008-10-08] and Don Wilkinson, [cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/National/Story/tabid/423/articleID/72111/Default.aspx|title=Howard Broad's tribute to Don Wilkinson|date=18 September 2008 |publisher=TV3 News|accessdate=2008-10-08] officers killed separately in the line of duty in 2008. He announced he would be reviewing the Arms Act, as the air rifle suspected of causing Wilkinson's death could be purchased over the counter without a licence. [cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24333895-12377,00.html|title=NZ gun laws face review|date=12 September 2008 |publisher=The Australian|accessdate=2008-10-08] [cite web|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/22227/restrictions-powerful-airguns-backed|title=Restrictions on powerful airguns backed|last=Porteous |first=Debbie |date=13 September 2008|publisher=Otago Daily Times|accessdate=2008-10-08]

Commission of Inquiry

A Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct launched by Prime Minister Helen Clark and headed by Dame Margaret Bazley ran from 4 February 2004 to 26 March 2007, with the objective to investigate the way in which New Zealand Police had dealt with allegations of sexual assault by members of the police and associates. [cite web|url=http://www.cipc.govt.nz/|title=Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct|publisher=Department of Internal Affairs|accessdate=2008-10-07] It investigated 313 complaints of sexual assault made between 1979 and 2005, 141 of which were serious enough to lay criminal charges. Broad unequivocally and unreservedly apologised for the damning findings of the report, saying, "I acknowledge the hurt and harm that has been done to you, your families and supporters. I am truly sorry that these few of our number have caused so much pain and grief that undermined that sense of high expectations New Zealanders rightly have of their police". [cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1046809|title=Police chief sorry, shake-up promised|date=3 April 2007|publisher=TVNZ|accessdate=2008-10-09] He publicly committed to implementing 48 recommendations relating to the police, and assisting with the 12 relating to the Police Complaints Authority. [cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00047.htm|title=Opening statement from Howard Broad, Commissioner|date=3 April 2007|publisher=Scoop / New Zealand Police |accessdate=2008-10-09]

Anti-terror raids

A major police operation during his term was the 2007 New Zealand anti-terror raids. When police conducted the dawn raids he announced they were necessary in the interest of public safety, that those arrested on 15 October had used firearms and other weapons at the military-style training camps. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7048487.stm|title=Alleged Maori plot against whites |date=17 October 2007|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2008-10-07] He told reporters, "I believe this is domestically oriented. I don't have evidence there is an international connection to this." [cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/15/asia/nz.php|title=Raids of training camps lead to arrests in New Zealand|date=15 October 2007|publisher=International Herald Tribune |accessdate=2008-10-08] Three hundred police were involved, resulting in the seizure of four guns and seventeen arrests. On 8 November, Solicitor General David Collins declined to prosecute under the Terrorism Suppression Act, citing insufficient evidence. In the aftermath Ruatoki residents wanted utu (revenge) in the form of Broad's resignation, [cite web | title = Ruatoki residents call for Broad's resignation | publisher = TV3 News | url = http://www.3news.co.nz/National/Story/tabid/423/articleID/38826/cat/100/Default.aspx | date = 9 November 2007|accessdate=2008-10-07] a call echoed by the Māori Party [cite web | title = Pressure on Howard Broad to resign | publisher = NewstalkZB| url = http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=127483| date = 15 November 2007|accessdate=2008-10-08] [cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/09/2086081.htm|title=Maori leader calls for NZ police chief's head|last=Lewis|first=Peter |date=9 November 2007 |publisher=ABC News|accessdate=2008-10-08] and Global Peace and Justice Auckland. [cite web | title = Press release: Global Peace and Justice Auckland/ Civil Rights Defence Committee | publisher = Indymedia Aotearoa | url = http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/74139/index.php | date = 8 November 2007|accessdate=2008-10-07] Broad spoke at a Wainuiomata Marae hui in March 2008, saying, "That there is hurt, I understand that, I understand how that happened and I deeply regret that." A Māori Party spokesperson said the speech was "a good start". [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10500960|title=Raids 'hurt' is regretted: Broad |last=Henehan|first=Justin |date=30 March 2008|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-07]

Tasers

The New Zealand police ran two trials examining the introduction of tasers, before Broad authorised their general use on 28 August 2008.cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10529437|title=Broad confirms Taser introduction |last=Gower|first=Patrick|date=28 August 2008|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-07] The previous day he had taken the decision to parliament seeking input - opposition politicians and the Police Association criticised him and the Labour government for diverting attention away from other political issues and needing government help to make a decision. He declined a request by a TVNZ journalist to be tasered himself. [cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/2042207|title=Top cop scared of sting|date=28 August 2008 |publisher=TVNZ|accessdate=2008-10-07] [cite web|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=623017|title=NZ top cop refuses test zap from Taser|date=29 August 2008|publisher=ninemsn |accessdate=2008-10-08]

Media incidents

The May 2007 issue of Investigate magazine revealed that in a pornographic film involving bestiality with a chicken screened at Broad's home in 1981. He acknowledged the film was shown but stated he only learnt about it afterwards and did not approve. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10442370|title=No investigation into sex, drugs claims against police |last=Vass|first=Beck |date=29 May 2007|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-07]

A 2008 investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority cleared Broad of allegations he had "pulled rank" to avoid being breath tested in 1992. A detective inspector in Christchurch at the time, he returned a positive breath alcohol test. The traffic officer told him to leave the car and walk, standard practice at the time, according to the inquiry. He reported the incident to his superior the following morning. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10519936|title=Police chief cleared over breath test claims |date=4 July 2008|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-10-07] [cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0807/S00066.htm|title=1992 traffic incident involving Howard Broad|date=4 July 2008|publisher=Scoop / Independent Police Conduct Authority |accessdate=2008-10-08]

Ranks and posts

* 1975: Police cadet, Constable
* 1979–1985: Detective Constable, CIB
* 1986–1990: Detective Sergeant, Detective Inspector
* 1991: Shift Inspector
* 1992–1993: Detective Inspector, Region Support Group, Christchurch
* 1993–1994: Manager, Planning & Policy, Police National HQ
* 1995–1999: Superintendent, Strategy Group, Police National HQ
* 1999–2003: District Commander, Auckland City Police District
* 2003–2004: Assistant Commissioner (seconded), Police Standards Unit, Home Office. UK
* 2004–2006: Assistant Commissioner, Planning, Development & Deployment, Office of the Commissioner of Police
* 2006-: Commissioner of Police

References

External links

* [http://www.police.govt.nz/about/executive.html New Zealand Police Executive]